Andy's Player Ratings: Stoke 1-0 Sunderland — Potters make Mackems pay for missed chances

12/29/2024 12:07 PM

Sunderland suffered their fourth defeat of the season away at Stoke City thanks to an injury time winner from Tom Cannon. Here's how Andy rated the Lads...

Anthony Patterson: 7/10

Made some really important saves early on after a Stoke player got the wrong side of the defence, both times he came out quickly and blocked the shot. OK with his feet today but made a great pass out wide to the overlapping O'Nien who set up a chance for Aouchiche. No chance with the goal.

Trai Hume: 7/10

Defended well today and made some good bursts foward, once to smash a shot into the top corner that forced a good save and then to place a cross onto Isidor's head.

Chris Mepham: 7/10

Made a goal saving clearance after Cirkin was beaten in behind and mopped up well in behind, although a couple of times he stopped to appeal while the ball was still in play.

Luke O'Nien: 6/10

Had his hands full with Cannon, who was always making life difficult with when O'Nien was trying to clear the ball. Made a good overlapping run late on and picked out Aouchiche on the opposite flank.

Dennis Cirkin: 5/10

Some shaky moments defensively today, missing the ball entirely which left a runner in and had to be bailed out by Mepham, an air shot while trying to clear the ball down the line. Combined well with Aouchiche going forward though and had a decent shot from a corner that had to be blocked.

Dan Neil (C): 7/10

A bit of a step down from his recent displays but was still one of our better performers, won the ball back plenty and used it to good effect.

Jobe Bellingham: 6/10

A quieter game from Jobe, some nice bits of play but struggled to make a real impact.

Eliezer Mayenda: 5/10

Caused Gooch all sorts of problems down our right, getting past him regularly but decision making wasn't great and missed a sitter just before he was substituted after Aouchiche picked him out with a cross and he completed miscued his free header.

Milan Aleksic: 6/10

A decent debut, had some sloppy passes early on but eventually got used to the pace of the game and showed some flashes of quality. Looked to have good pace, had a shot on target after his own break in the first half and won the ball back a few times.

Adil Aouchiche: 7/10

Played well on the left wing, his set pieces were decent and put in some dangerous crosses that could have resulted in a goal, particularly the one onto Mayenda's head. Had a few chances himself, hit the post with a deflected effort and forced the goalkeeper into a few good saves.

Wilson Isidor: 6/10

Linked up play well, particularly in the first half but was a bit too unselfish at times, passing when it was possible to go through himself. Had a few half chances, including hitting the post after bursting onto a loose ball in the box.

Substitutes

Aji Alese: 6/10

Replaced Cirkin at left back and did well, spent most of his time attacking.

Patrick Roberts: 6/10

Picked up where Mayenda left off on the right wing, troubling his full back without a huge amount of danger after that.

Aaron Connolly: 6/10

Came on late on for Mayenda but didn't really get involved.

Man of the Match: Adil Aouchiche

Had been a bit of an outcast until recent weeks but showed today that he is still a good option. Caused Stoke all sorts of problems, creating chances for others or having a go himself. Very unlucky not to score or get an assist.